A few years ago, a friend experienced an unusual, debilitating pain in her left side. For months, her doctor ran tests but couldn’t confirm a diagnosis. One day, she was browsing in a used book store and came across a well-used paperback about shingles. My friend bought the book on an impulse and soon discovered that not all cases of shingles produce the expected rash. Another visit to her doctor, with the book in hand, and she obtained the diagnosis. During all those months of excruciating pain, she had suffered from shingles. The resulting nerve pain lasted several more months with some relief from medications.
Another friend developed a strange rash on 2 fingers, following by severe pain. She also received a diagnosis of shingles.
Even eyes can break out with shingles, which can result in loss of vision.
Shingles is most common in seniors over age 60. As we age, our bodies’ ability to fight off disease weakens. Other illnesses, stress and even medications can compromise the immune system and increase the risk of shingles. Even a lot of sun exposure can trigger a shingles attack. The condition is also more prevalent in women.
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. Symptoms can be a burning, itching, swelling on only one side of the body. The most common location is the torso, as my friend experienced but it may appear most anywhere. When the rash appears, it will display blisters filled with fluid. The presence of said rash makes a diagnosis much easier to obtain. Other symptoms include chills, fever and headache.
A study from the American Academy of Neurology in the United Kingdom found that people who develop shingles before age 40 appeared to be at greater risk for stroke and heart attack than those who have never had shingles. The inflammation associated with the varicella zoster virus may travel to certain blood vessels, causing damage and altering blood flow to the brain or heart. It is believed that inflammation plays a major role in cardiovascular disease and strokes.
The shingles virus lies dormant in your body if you previously had chicken pox, but it can become activated at any time. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all adults over 60 get the shingles vaccine.
According to the CDC, shingles affects about a million people in the United States each year. Complications from this infection include:
Post-hepatic neuralgia – a nerve is damaged and remains raw for a long period of time.
Vision loss – If shingles is in or near the eyes, scarring and vision loss can occur.
Skin infections – Occasionally, skin lesions can become infected and result in staph infections or worse.
Treatments for shingles may include antiviral medicines, like acyclovir or valocyclovir for reducing pain. Lyrica is also used to treat the pain that follows shingles. Neurontin and amyltriptyline are sometimes prescribed, as well as numbing agents or injectable corticosteroids.
If you suspect you might have the shingles infection, see your medical professional at once for a proper diagnosis. And if you can get the shingles vaccine, do so, and avoid the possibility of infection.
